Quotable quotes leading up to Sunday’s big game at Portland

There were quite a few reporters out at Sounders FC training today. Not hard to guess why. It’s Portland week. Here’s a sampling of quotes from players and coaches in reference to the big game coming up (plenty more after the jump).

* * *

“No, it hasn’t started yet. John being Scottish, I’ve got to have a lexicon with me or a translator to understand things he’s tweeting me anyway. I have a lot of respect for John as a coach. I know we said a lot of things back and forth. I think he’s a really good coach and I thought he was a really good player. I’ve always liked him and I enjoy the banter as well.” — Coach Sigi Schmid on if any pregame texting or tweeting has gone on between him and Portland coach John Spencer.

“Playing this kind of game is very important, not just for the players, but it’s important for our fans, our club and our city. We have to be very focused when we play. Like with Boca-River or Ajax-Feyenoord, we know it’s a derby and we can’t go to the game and fight 50- or 60-percent. You have to give a 110-percent.” — Midfielder Mauro Rosales on approaching a big rivalry game.

“I’d definitely like to hear a little bit because it shows how much they care about it and their passion. It fires up the guys and gets us ready and gets us a little more motivated. You see and hear different things and they put it up on the bulletin board and you can see it anytime. You see how much crap they’re talking and what’s going on. Should be fun.” — Defender Jeff Parke on if the back-and-forth from the two coaches a couple months ago has come up at all.

“Don’t know. You have to ask John that question. Obviously it’s a little bit similar to when we came into the league our first year. I think early on we got off to a great start. There was a lot of enthusiasm a lot of adrenaline going through everyone’s veins so you get off to a really ambitious start. Then reality sets in and the day-to-day grind sets in and things change a little bit. That happened to us as well. We stumbled a little bit and we caught ourselves. They’re a team right now that’s going through that same process. It’s just a normal growing process.” — Schmid on why Portland has struggled recently

“It’s probably going to be a little bit crazy. I know it’s a rivalry game and it’ll have a derby feeling. I’m going to love it. I’m excited.” — First-year midfielder Erik Friberg on what he’s been told to expect in Portland by his teammates.

“No, I’m not going to pick a fight with Timber Joey — I’ll tell you that right now — especially if he’s got that chainsaw fired up. Nothing planned at this point.” — Forward Roger Levesque on if a goal celebration might include a chainsaw.

“It’s a little bit like when I had Schelotto at Columbus. He was such an icon for Boca because it seemed he always saved his best games for River, which is their biggest rival. I think Roger has scored some big goals in big games against Portland and that fuels the fire.” — Schmid on Levesque’s lightning-rod status in the rivalry.

“That’s what Nate (Jaqua, 6-foot-4) and Taylor (Graham, 6-4) are around for. As much as the anger comes out and the passion on the field, I think it’s a pretty safe environment. I’m not too worried about being down in Portland. I actually like the city.” — Levesque on if he’ll hire extra security for the weekend trip.

“We’re definitely going to feed of their fans down there. It’s going to be a great motivation for us. Obviously we’re going to have some fans there and we know that they had to work hard to get those tickets and to get into that stadium, so we want to reward them.” — Schmid on feeding off the energy of JELD-WEN Field.